A model of bioenergetics of the black pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) was built to simulate growth, reproduction and spawning in suspended culture at field sites in Takapoto lagoon (French Polynesia). This model was based on allometric scaling of physiological functions and scope for growth (SFG) calculations. The input functions were clearance rate (CR, 1 day(-1)), retention efficiency (RE, %) for each kind of particle encountered in suspended matter, pseudofaeces and faeces productions (PF and F, mg C day(-1)), excretion and respiration rate (U and R, mg C day(-1)). The assimilated carbon (i.e., SFG, mg C day(-1)) was partitioned to the three internal state variables (somatic tissue, shell and gonad) according to the asymptotic increase of the... |